WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., April 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Social media provides consumers the opportunity to engage with companies to gather information and address customer issues. It also plays a critical role in driving consumer purchase and service decisions across all generational groups in the automotive marketplace, according to the J.D. Power 2014 Social Media Benchmark StudySM—Auto released today.

"Auto manufacturers that focus just on reaching Millennials through social media are missing a tremendous opportunity, as social media is a channel that reaches all generations of consumers," said Arianne Walker, senior director, automotive media & marketing at J.D. Power. "Today for the first time, we have an in-depth understanding of what helps drive satisfaction in social media interactions across generations, and not just among consumers who are highly engaged in social media, but also those who are more casually engaged with a brand through this channel. It is important to provide a satisfying social media experience for all consumers because it helps drive current and future business."

The study, now in its second year, measures the overall consumer experience in engaging with companies through their social media platforms for both marketing and servicing needs across 30 U.S. automotive brands. Marketing engagements include connecting with consumers to build brand awareness and affinity as well as communicating about products and promotions. Servicing engagements include answering specific consumer questions or resolving problems. The study establishes quantitative performance benchmarks and industry best practices that provide automakers and dealers with insights to help them maximize their social media efforts.

KEY FINDINGS

Consumers who are delighted with their servicing and marketing experiences (satisfaction scores of 901-1,000 on a 1,000-point scale) have a positive impression of the automotive brand and an increased likelihood to repurchase from the same brand in the future.

Consumers delighted with their social media servicing experience and those delighted with their marketing experience indicate they are more likely to purchase from the same automotive brand in the future.

Consumers delighted with their social media servicing experience indicate they are more likely to return to the automotive brand dealer for service.

One-fifth (20%) of consumers use social media as their primary source of information about automotive brands.

Nearly one-third (29%) of social media users get recommendations about a product or service from friends and family exclusively through social media.

The most frequently used social media marketing channel is Facebook (29%), followed by YouTube (19%) and Twitter (11%). The most frequently used social media servicing channel is Facebook (84%), followed by Twitter (34%) and YouTube (25%).

Social Media Benchmark Study—Auto RankingsToyota ranks highest among automotive brands, with a score of 845. Ford ranks second with a score of 842, followed by Chevrolet at 838. The social media benchmark auto industry average is 824.

The 2014 Social Media Benchmark Study—Auto is based on responses from more than 9,800 U.S. online consumers who have interacted with a company via that company's social media channel. The study was fielded from November 18, 2013, through February 9, 2014.

Overall Customer Satisfaction Index Scores

J.D. Power.com Power Circle RatingsTM

(Based on a 1,000-point scale)

For Consumers

Toyota

845

5

Ford

842

5

Chevrolet

838

5

Lincoln

836

5

BMW

831

3

Dodge

829

3

Infiniti

828

3

Acura

827

3

Honda

827

3

Kia

827

3

Industry Average

824

3

Lexus

821

3

Subaru

821

3

Hyundai

819

3

Mercedes-Benz

818

3

Audi

815

3

Nissan

814

3

Buick

810

3

RAM

807

3

Mazda

805

3

Cadillac

803

2

Jeep

797

2

Volkswagen

797

2

Mitsubishi

795

2

GMC

783

2

Volvo

781

2

Land Rover

780

2

Scion

777

2

Chrysler

772

2

MINI

763

2

Fiat

743

2

Power Circle Ratings Legend5 – Among the best4 – Better than most3 – About average2 – The rest

The overall Social Media Benchmark Index is comprised of the Social Media Marketing Index and the Social Media Servicing Index, each representing 50 percent of the overall score. The overall index measures consumers' social media experiences across marketing and servicing interactions.